The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-07
A DECAYED BRAIN.
TEN YEARS WITHOUT SCALP Or
GROWN.
Victim of the Tomahawk-Sad Case Of the
Sole Suviver of an Indian Massacre.

|
of the State Medical Society DR.. Albert
Chase, of this city, arose and requested
moments attention. He unwrapped
newspaper and fondly drew forth a
human skull in the crown of which was
n large jagged hole. The doctor said
that the skull was formerly that of a
friend of his, who had been tomahawk-
ed and scalped by the Indians while
crossing the plains in pioneer days, but
surviving his injuries he had lived ten
years.
DIR. Chase considered the case one of
the most remarkable on record From
scientific point of view the skull re-
futed many common theories regarding
the brain and was complete con-
tradiction of the science of phrenology.
AS time was limited the doctor was re-
quested to prepare apaper for presenta-
ton to the society next year. Out of
regard for his friendship of the deceas-
ed, the doctor declined to give the
the name of him whose skull he pro-
duced.
However as the deceased was well
known to many persons in this city,
that particular was easily obtainable.
He was a prominent and well-known
citizen of Downieville during the eff
ties" Probably every one who LIVED
in Sierra County at that period remem-
bers Samuel Frost, of Frosrs mine,
located just next to Sol Woods, on the
divide above Downieville.
| Frost is the man whose skull is Great
ing Juror in medical circles. He was
a wcll-known man, and during the lat
Ter years of his life was the owner of a
valuable quartz mine. When first he
reached Downieville he was employed
by Richard Siege, now the restaurant
teur of this city, and who then kept
store in the mining camp of New York
Flat. Frost was known rs a man of
powerful physique, great business abil-
ity and energy.
SCALED BY sAvAGEs.
But no one ever saw Frost during life
with his hat off. Indoors and out OF
doors, at meals and in bed Frost al
ways wore his hat pulled close down
over his head. Had his hat been re-
moved there would have been revealed
revolving spectaclc-a scalpiess head,
and in the crown of the skull was jag
ged hole about four inches long by
three inches wide, out of which decay
ing brains protruded, protected by no
covering except the felt of the hat
For ten years Frost lived in this con-
dtion, conducting a large business
with energy and skill. Few even of his
most intimate friends ever heard his
story, and none in its entirety, for he
was very reticent about this misfortune
and of his life preceding it. His native
State was unknown. His story always
began when his party was nearing Fort
Laramie. Up to that time no traces of
hostile Indians had been observed, aud
the party had grown little careless.
One night it camped in small, brushy
valley surrounded by low hills
The campers had been asleep few
hours when suddenly the Indian war
yell awakened them. but hardly could
they lift themselves from their blankets
before they were struck down by the
tomahawk and the Indian knife en-
circled their scalps. Frost was Sleep
ing in one of the wagons, and was not
at first observed. He saw an Indian
spring from his horse to scalp victim,
and took advantage of the opportunity
and leaped on the Indians horse and
dashed off down the creek. Two pur-
suers were quickly on his trail. Be-
ing without spurs the redskins, yelling
and shrieking like demons, rapidly
gained upon HIM. His only weapon
was pistol, aud as the Indians closed
upon him he turned in his saddle and
fired. The nearest of the pursuers gave
his last yell and fell from his horse.
But it was only momentary advant-
age, for the next instant a sharp pain
darted through his shoulder, and he
saw an Indian arrowhead protruding
from his shoulder. With stole care
lessness of pain. often observed by
others in later years, he broke off the
head. and then jerkcd out the arrow.